Is it as cool as I think it is?

[Nivek2slick]

I want an ITS bad. Owners: is it as cool as it looks? Are you as cool as I think you are? How can I be like you?

Honestly I feel fucking dope everything I drove my car and change gears ...even my wife who knows nothing about cars thinks my car is dope . Everywhere I go I get compliments. First thing they say is I've never seen one . Low key I think it'll break up my marriage cuz of all the chicks attention it's starting to get lol jk jk ..it's great daily driver and brings back that feeling when you were 16 with a fresh brand DL and wanted to drive everywhere for any excuse . That's what this car brings the perfect excuse to always wanna drive . Good luck and enjoy . Oh the community here is super cool and helpful too

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[optronix]

I mean thank you? I guess? I’m not gonna walk back anything though. I’m not gonna apologize for a sincere post that you then passed through your personal perception filter at 2:30am.

First of all, attention to detail. Not all of us live in Portland, OR.

Secondly, you still look pretty ridiculous asking things like "can I be cool like you?" in your introductory post. Jury's still out on your troll status, my perception filter still has only moved you from 100% troll to maybe not 100% troll.

 

[ffffffff]

First of all, attention to detail. Not all of us live in Portland, OR.

Secondly, you still look pretty ridiculous asking things like "can I be cool like you?" in your introductory post. Jury's still out on your troll status, my perception filter still has only moved you from 100% to troll to maybe not 100% troll.

 

[creaturemachine]

Top kek effort my friend.

 

[grahm]

The key thing with optronix is not to give him too much attention.

As for the ITS, definitely give it or a CTR a test drive if you can — maybe look for dealers with used models as they’re more likely to let you drive those. They’re good cars but it really depends on your priorities in a car. I don’t think either is worth any amount of markup.

 

[ffffffff]

It’s a lot of car and a lot of quality and a lot of reliability for $50k. I’ve had cars multiple times more expensive and still own some and the ITS is legit.

That said, if you want to be cool and pull the chicks, get a 330i or CLA250. They will swoon over the badge and think you’re rich.

Oh I've passed the pulling chicks stage, I got a family and 2 girls under 4. I had been looking at the M340i but the ITS seems like a much better car for driving fun.

 

[ffffffff]

The key thing with optronix is not to give him too much attention.

As for the ITS, definitely give it or a CTR a test drive if you can — maybe look for dealers with used models as they’re more likely to let you drive those. They’re good cars but it really depends on your priorities in a car. I don’t think either is worth any amount of markup.

Yeah I feel like the markup on the ITS may be coming down.
Any idea why I'm seeing a lot of used ITSes? Why are people bringing these things back so quickly?

 

[QUIKAG]

Oh I've passed the pulling chicks stage, I got a family and 2 girls under 4. I had been looking at the M340i but the ITS seems like a much better car for driving fun.

Yep, me too. Two boys 3 and 6. So, M340i is a great car and I've debated maybe rolling into one, but watching videos (and driving them myself), super competent, super nice, but not being able to shift (8-speed ZF only option, awesome automatic, but not manual. ) and the acceleration being so effortless, it just gets a little less fun over time than an ITS will be.

Plus, depreciation sucks on them relatively speaking, long-term reliability will be worse almost guaranteed and the ITS is probably the better buy overall, especially factoring in the $15k ish price difference.

 

[grahm]

Yeah I feel like the markup on the ITS may be coming down.
Any idea why I'm seeing a lot of used ITSes? Why are people bringing these things back so quickly?

A lot of the early buyers did so in a time when you could still sell a car for near what you paid — so they might not have been planning to keep it long term. That time has ended, but I imagine some people didn’t realize they were committing to a $55K car and now want out.

I also think people get caught up in the review hype which often prioritizes driving dynamics over all else. There are so many cars at $55K that are more comfortable, more quiet, more luxurious, more fuel efficient, faster off the line, more special engine, less rattles, AWD, etc… I think some buyers realize that ultimately they want a car with different strengths.

 

[ABPDE5]

A lot of the early buyers did so in a time when you could still sell a car for near what you paid — so they might not have been planning to keep it long term. That time has ended, but I imagine some people didn’t realize they were committing to a $55K car and now want out.

I also think people get caught up in the review hype which often prioritizes driving dynamics over all else. There are so many cars at $55K that are more comfortable, more quiet, more luxurious, more fuel efficient, faster off the line, more special engine, less rattles, AWD, etc… I think some buyers realize that ultimately they want a car with different strengths.

This. A lot of people get hung up on 0-x times, cylinder count, drivetrain layout, and total HP or torque numbers (as opposed to P:W). F/F and 4-cylinders are looked down upon by a big portion of the car community, and an Acura or Honda badge will not carry the prestige of a BMW or Audi badge to a lot of people. If you care about those things, the ITS is a hard pill to swallow. Especially if you took a reach on it, on a high interest rate.

By that same logic, though, a 718 Cayman is a tough pill to swallow, too... and I'd rather have one that most cars I could have for less with more power or more driven wheels.

Additionally, you also have a lot of people that car hop, and with its low production numbers and hype, the ITS was a target early on.

They only produced 1800 DE5s last year, so when you factor all this in, and all the "gotta try it first and flip" folks, it's not surprising a not insignificant portion of currently available ITS's are used.

None of this bothered me. I care about how a car feels to drive down a twisty B road. I could care less about cylinder count, 0-60, etc. (especially when we will have electric SUVs with lower centers of gravity, better weight distribution, and significantly better acceleration than dedicated ICE sports cars for a fraction of the price in several year -- buying an ICE car for ego seems foolish to me right now).

My advice is always: test drive everything you are considering, and pick the one you enjoy most, regardless of how someone else feels about [insert X car aspect here].

 

[ABPDE5]

Also, if you get a chance to test drive an ITS... (and you have the opportunity) I highly recommend doing the "pedal dance" and disabling traction control. The car feels great with it on, don't get me wrong, and it's better behaved, but it shows its true colors with it off, and the feedback and character of the car are so much better without it. I always turn it off when I'm going for a fun drive, and I feel bad for those who are unaware of the steps required to fully disable TC, because this car (at least imo) is so much better and has so much more soul without it.

Steering feel is much better, and as I outlined in my "review" earlier in this thread, you get a bunch of lift-off oversteer and just the right amount of torque steer (all the smiles, none of the wrenching off course).

I understand safety, etc., but Acura made a mistake not making the "zero TC" mode more accessible. The chassis can still handle the power, and with the mechanical LSD and FWD layout, it's still relatively safe (and definitely consistently controllable) without it.

 

[koatic]

Okay so I have been wanting to rant on this for a little while and think this is the perfect post to do it so bear with me.
I bought my first original 97 ITR motor, JDM B18C (imported not the USDM B19C5 version) and transplanted it into an EJ (1995 civic coupe) back in 2000 and fell in love with it, I wrecked that car (being young and dumb as we do) and that engine was transplanted into another EH. which I also wrecked being dumb. So third transplant in an EH (1993 hatchback) which I still have today 23 years later. So, for me the ITR - CTR to ITS transition was NOSTALGIC. I did not like the FK8 styling but loved the FL5 and most likely would have gone that route if the markup wasn't 10k-15k around here which made the FL5 a more expensive option for me than the ITS which made the decision easier as now I am an old fart and the creature comforts for less money was the decision maker.

Now after that little rant I have to say I was sick last week and could not drive for a few days. I actually felt the separation anxiety of not being able to drive my ITS which I have NOT felt in about 20 years when I was looking for a new shell to put the b18c in after my first wreck.

Do not buy the car for any reason other than YOU love it.
it's not the fastest, it's not the flashiest and it's not efficient (gas or insurance) but for me it's exactly what I wanted.

Yes, I have had a few stupid issues with mine like yesterday the gas door would not release even though the car was unlocked.. had to hit the manual unlock on my remote twice for the door to open.
but these are like the little flaws in our children that we learn to love as part of their personality.

 

[RUNN1N]

Thanks!

I think you answered this but were you at all put off by it not having rear seat vents, sunroof, etc? I was a little irritated by people pointing that stuff out, given its (reported) excellent driving experience—as if not having those cabin things were enough to deter people from getting it. But I like to drive, man, I can’t see myself really caring about that stuff. Sounds like you’re the same?

The sunroof is what it is--supposedly it was left out to keep body rigidity up and the center of gravity low.

Rear vents are ridiculously easy to add, and since you'll have kids riding in the back, it's worth the $350 and 90 minutes for install. MikStore can have them to you in 2-3 weeks, usually.

 

[ffffffff]

The sunroof is what it is--supposedly it was left out to keep body rigidity up and the center of gravity low.

Rear vents are ridiculously easy to add, and since you'll have kids riding in the back, it's worth the $350 and 90 minutes for install. MikStore can have them to you in 2-3 weeks, usually.

Did not know that! Thanks!

 

[nix6speed]

Though rear vents are a nice to have the ones under the seats work. Rode 250 miles in the backseat of my ITS in Texas summer last year and it was fine. Survived without the USBs too. Rather have folding center armrest than either but can't expect much out of a Civic on steroids. Back in the day Neon SRT-4s had crank windows in the rear. Could always be worse!

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